Jacob and Marjie Starkey

I grew up on the North Coast of California, spending my time in nature—catching small fish and amphibians and watching them grow in aquariums. That early connection built a lasting respect for living things that still guides everything we do.

Over time, I saw the aquarium industry shift in a direction I didn’t believe in—where fish are treated like inventory in massive warehouses, moved quickly with little regard for long-term health.

After 30 years in the transportation industry, my career came to an unexpected end due to an injury. With the support of my wife Marjie—a lifelong educator and administrator here in Northern California—we set out to build something better.

We operate our business in Chico with a clear standard: do it right or don’t do it at all.

That means proper quarantine with preventative care when needed, safe and responsible shipping, and livestock that is handled with attention—not volume. It also means offering products and systems we stand behind, not just what’s easiest to sell.

We believe in giving back to nature, not just taking from it, and we actively support conservation efforts through our work.

Most importantly, we keep this personal. When you reach out, you’re speaking directly with us. There are no layers, no outsourced support—just real answers from the people responsible for the animals, the systems, and the standards behind it all.